Results 26,741-26,760 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: As I was indicating to Deputy Dooley, I am currently preparing an all-of-government climate plan that will set out the actions that must be taken to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. I am working with colleagues across Government to develop new initiatives in electricity, transport, heat and agriculture, in addition to a range of other sectors. The new plan will have a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy will know that, under the legal framework within which we operate, there are penalties for failing to achieve the targets. The penalties would be paid according to the carbon price of the day. Therefore, if we failed to deliver on the targets, we would be millions of tonnes off and the Exchequer would have to pay. That creates very significant pressure to change. Significant...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Climate Change Policy (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I absolutely agree that the Government needs to lead by example. We are going to do that. For example, we have already banned single-use plastics, we are requiring every public body to have a resource and waste plan in place, and we are requiring every public body to adopt green procurement. That will be a significant element in helping people. We also have grants. As the Deputy knows,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I reject the suggestion that the Government has been lethargic in this area. We have a national cybersecurity strategy in place and we are currently reviewing it. It is out for public consultation at present. If the Deputy has particular proposals, there is an opportunity to improve our cybersecurity plan. The EU directive to which the Deputy refers was transposed into Irish law on 18...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy likes to dish out complaints but I am not so sure he is aware that a consultation is underway to which he could submit his view if he believes there should be an independent regulator and that it should not be done by having it within the Department, as it has been done in the past. He can submit that view. Clearly, this consultation is open to evaluating whether the structures...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cyber Security Policy (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: The Deputy misquoted me. I spoke in respect of the statutory instrument following the consultation. The Dáil has passed a statutory instrument. Consultation is required within it. The feedback from those who will be regulated does not require substantial change in what is proposed. That is the only aspect where I said change would be minimal. In terms of the development of a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waste Disposal (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I thank the Deputy for his question. Bulky household goods, such as mattresses, are a problematic waste stream for local authorities when they are illegally dumped in ditches and green areas. They are unsightly and their presence generally encourages further illegal dumping in an area. That is why my Department provided funding under the 2018 anti-dumping initiative to support a mattress...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waste Disposal (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I do not have the universal cost but I do have the figure for County Laois. It cost €20,000 to collect 822 mattresses last year. If we expand that figure, it probably cost about €300,000 to collect the 11,000 mattresses overall. These projects operate by way of call. It depends, therefore, on local authorities coming forward with credible proposals to deal with this issue....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waste Disposal (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I will fund initiatives again this year, but they will be based on the proposals that come from the local authorities. We will want to see a good proposal that would warrant support. Deputy Stanley is right that 11,000 mattresses were taken in last year. It is a project of real benefit, therefore, and the Department is disposed to doing more in that area. Let us wait, however, to see what...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: The NBP aims to ensure high-speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State-led intervention. The NBP procurement process was launched in 2015, following a public consultation. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, fewer than 700,000, or 30% of Irish...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Broadband Plan (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: As we have discussed, the decision on this is imminent. I intend to bring a recommendation to the Government before Easter, as has been indicated in the timeframe from the Taoiseach. I am working to that deadline. With respect to what is happening in the wider area, the Deputy will appreciate that the intervention area is what is left after commercial operators have "put up their hands" to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: Biogas produced from anaerobic digestion has the potential to play an important role in Ireland's transition to a low-carbon future. In addition to helping decarbonise the energy sector by replacing fossil fuels, the production of biogas can also reduce emissions in the agriculture and waste sectors. The support scheme for renewable heat has been developed to support financially the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: There is no doubt there is a theoretical capacity here but as I pointed out in the reply, there is a very significant cost difference.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: The difficulty is in selecting a roadmap to achieve decarbonisation over time, we must identify the route that would impose the least burden on people while creating the most opportunities. Work must be done to see whether various theoretical technologies can be converted to a reasonable cost-effective path. I absolutely agree there is potential in the area but the number of schemes under...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Bioenergy Strategy Implementation (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: I can assure the Deputy there is no lack of vision in this area. We already have four schemes supporting this, including REFIT 3 and the new renewable heat scheme that will shortly have state aid. It relates to anaerobic digestion and it will go live as soon as we are in a position to make that happen. There is also the renewable electricity support scheme and the Gas Networks Ireland...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Waste Disposal (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: Illegal dumping is a matter of individual responsibility and compliance with the law. While enforcement action in this area is a matter for local authorities, my Department encourages a multifaceted approach to tackling the problem, incorporating enforcement, public awareness and education. As such, it provides funding to support the activities of the waste enforcement regional lead...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Energy and Climate Action Plan (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: The preparation of a consolidated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) is a requirement under the Governance Regulation of the Energy Union and Climate Action which brings together for the first time energy and climate planning and reporting requirements into a single national reporting framework. Member States were given a template for the Plan as part of the Regulation and had to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Citizens Assembly (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: Climate Disruption is the greatest challenge facing humanity. That is why the Oireachtas requested the Citizens Assembly, which has played a great role in motivating change in our society, to examine Ireland's role in meeting this challenge. Its recommendations are being taken very seriously both by the Oireachtas and by the government. The Joint Committee on Climate Action was...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Service Provision (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: In November 2014 my Department published a High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that within the State intervention area. In April 2017 the High Speed Broadband Map was updated. This update took account of the Commitment Agreement signed by eir...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (27 Mar 2019)

Richard Bruton: The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every home, school and business in Ireland has access to high speed broadband. Since December 2015, total premises with access to high speed broadband in Donegal has increased from 48% to 64%. In total today, the number of premises in Donegal with access to high speed broadband is 65,212. Another 2,511 will be served by eir under that...